Seasons change in a blink of an eye. Seems like only yesterday you have been enjoying warm and sunny summer days. Today, people are already talking about pumpkins, Holiday Season, warm clothes and winter tires for the car. Before you notice, winter will literally knock on your door, bringing snow, drafts, leaks and icy pathways. In other words, it is high time to winterize your home!
Extreme temperatures, winds, thaws, and frosts can seriously damage the structure of your house if it is not prepared for the cold season properly. Not to mention the facts that we all want to feel warm, cosy and safe in our own homes while winds are blowing outside and snowmelt is causing floods and sleet.
That is why we decided to create a guide to help you winterize your home in just 10 easy steps and make sure that the upcoming winter will be safe and joyful for you and your whole family.
1 Check the attic
It is always better to start from the top and from the house that is often neglected. Ensure that your attack is insulated correctly; there are no leaks, excessive moisture or signs of mould anywhere.
The attic is a buffer between the living space of the house and all the rain and snowfall this winter will bring upon you. The temperature in the attic should be about 10 degrees higher than outside.
Try to declutter it before the winter season to prevent the spread of mould and pests and make sure that it is adequately ventilated.
2 Insulate the pipes
Extreme temperatures can damage the pipes, make them burst and flood the house, leaving you without water for a long time and causing massive damage to your home and wallet.
Pay particular attention to the pipes while you winterize the house, examine them thoroughly and insulate them to prevent temperature fluctuations and damage.
3 close the cracks and seal the leaks
It is better to start doing this job as soon as heavy rains come. To winterize the building's structure, make sure to examine the whole house and find all cracks in the walls, doors and windows that can lead to drafts and water from outside.
If water stays in the crack and freezes when the temperatures go down, it can damage the house's structure and turn a tiny gap into a big and costly problem. Moreover, the crack will widen and let floodwater into your home when the snow starts melting, causing spring floods.
4 Check the heating and fireplace
Heating systems often collapse when we turn the on MAX after not using it for several months. Make sure to examine the system properly before turning it on.
Also, don't forget to winterize the chimney and fireplace. Clean them from dirt, debris and build-up and prepare for the upcoming cosy winter evenings.
5 Check the insulation
It is better to find out that your house is leaking heat before it becomes an issue. Check the insulation of the house and, if needed, update and mend possible issues.
6 Check all detectors
Winter is when electricity will work maximum, the fireplace will burn, and the whole family will spend more time at home. To winterize a house means to make sure that everybody is safe inside it. Make sure to check the smoke and fire detectors, change batteries and place them in the essential areas.
It would also be a good idea to get a water detector. It will help to find possible pipe explosions or boiler malfunction before you have to deal with a massive flood inside your house.
7 Clear the outside
Taking care of the outside area is another essential step to winterize your house. Snow and ice build-up and debris from the garden, fallen leaves, branches or trees can become a real issue and worsen the damage in spring flooding.
8 Clear the ice from driveways
Think about how you will winterize the driveways and passages and control the ice built up. Repair any issues with steps and tiles, install anti-slipping surfaces, and ensure that it is safe to walk around the house.
9 Don't forget about ventilation
It is natural to seal all the drafts and cracks when you winterize the house. However, make sure that the building remains adequately ventilated, there is enough fresh air and windows can open and close quickly and safely.
10 Keep winter floods in mind
Winter floods happen more often than you think and always catch homeowners unprepared for them. With the changing climate, the temperature can increase and fall several times during the day. It makes the snowmelt but does not let the ground unfreeze to soak the excessive moisture efficiently. Eventually, you may wake up in a flooded house in the middle of the winter.
The most efficient way to protect from such floods is to winterize your basement correctly. With flood barriers, you can seal the passage and ensure that wanted won't get under your house when you least expect it.
Dam Easy flood barriers are easy to install and remove and don't require special equipment or skills. You can easily protect your basement from flooding for the whole winter, and when the snowmelt stops, you will remove your flood barriers and store them compactly inside the shed, garage or even behind the door until the next season!
Contact Dam Easy today and learn about our flood barriers and other solutions that will help you protect and winterize your housekeeping, it safe and cosy throughout the whole year.
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